Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2003 5:09 am Post subject: So you are NEW to TEFL and want to work...

HOW TO LAND YOUR FIRST JOB...it t'aint so hard babes.

Okay NEWBIE. Have your certificate and diploma scanned.
Keep a copy on your lap top, floppy; and send yourself
an email which contains your CV, and documents.
This ensures that if you are unhappy where you end upyou can easily start hunting for a new gig.
No experience! will they hire me???...that was once ME..haha...

Don't worry, a lot of schools claim to be seeking lots and lots
of experience, but many take first times. LIKE MANY.
A lot of Newbies go to Japan cause they get a flight, an apt. and a job.
Go only if you are truly interested in living the LIFE there.
Some go to Thailand, Vietnam, it is easy enuff to get in with the ol'
tourist visa...and the other teachers will give you the low down on
how to get it re-newed.

How about TURKEY? Bright Lights Big City. Easy to get work and
make a living. Just check out the reputable schools on the job
information journal.

Working in Europe without an EU passport is near impossible.
Give up if you are not an
experience TEFL'er it wil only make it that much harder. Unless you
can afford to hang out for a month seeking freelance work, then
you have 'a chance'. But do you really want to live like that ?
Be sure you are ready for what is coming.

The Middle East, easy to get work in the UAE, QATAR, BAHRAIN, OMAN,
and TURKEY. Very safe, very very. My friends live there and make
a hell of a lot of money, drive 4 wheel cars paid for by there vehicle allowance, and usually great big apartments or houses. You swim,
drink, but baby...who do you love?

Who do you love? Remember the choices for girlfriends and boyfriends
become slim when you leave the ranch kiddo. But then again you
are travelling around the world, and this will make a great chapter
in 'that book you are writing'.

What about religious differences? Don't worry. Unless you
are going to Saudi or Afghanistan....most Mideasters all WANT what
is Western. It is freaky friday.

BUT...don't break the LAW. The law will go against you almost
everywhere outside of your own ranch. If you think they will
take it easy on you cause you are a Brit or a Yank. You have
never been more niave in yourlife. Don't drink and drive.

Besides that most of us have no worries.

Ready to go...pack up your stuff. Travel light. You can buy shampoo,
clothes, sandles, cigerettes, peanut butter and all the really important
stuff practically anywhere in the world. Often the stuff you buy
while working overseas is cheaper and more interesting, and HAND MADE.

Well, don't get your tefl and sit on it. Go and get a job. Remember,
you are not the FIRST person to go to these countries. They have
seen WHITY before. So relax.

Most of all be a good person to the other older tefl'ers. It is
hard being away from home for three or four years..and we get edgy
and are weary of JOHNNY KEEN.

GO GET A JOB.

Check the on-line yellow pages for language schools, in the country
you want to work for if you can't find AD's. It is the cold calls that
ofter yield warm responses.

I hope the Newbies have good first experiences. I have
found so far FEW without major to several minor bordering on
major agonies when working overseas at tEFl.

But, depends on your standards. And the most disappointing
thing I find is the CLANISH behavoir of many teachers. The in-fighting
and childishness. May TEFLers are young, first time away from
home and work becomes a gossip hell and destroy the
other teachers GAME.

Some are mature. But not many. Try to JUST BEHAVE when
you are outta your nest NEWBIES....

Double Agent wrote: "A lot of Newbies go to Japan cause they get a flight, an apt. and a job. "

Just for the record if you are lucky enough to find someone to hire you before you come to Japan, getting your flight paid for is extremely rare and the apartment is usually not free, just already sorted for you.

"A few companies which actively recruit newbies do
in fact pay airfare etc. This is the incentive for
first timers... "

Are you talking about Japan? Yes a very few may pay airfare, Westgate is one. I can't think of any others apart from the government-run JET program. If you know of any others I am sure the newbies would like to hear from you. If you want your airfare paid, Korea or China are better bets.

Double agent--you keep stressing how you get such sweet deals, you must be a gifted and talented teacher. Do you have any advice that is relevant to newbies or are you just seeking admiration. If admiration is want you want, you have mine.

I am not so amazing, but I KNOW a good deal and a BAD DEAL when
i see one. I am looking out for NO.#1 one that s me..hey keep looking
out for numero uno.

Why take a bad deal. Sure life isnīt easy, but there are fewer
TEFL teachers out there getting on the plane these days,
and this gives us all power to negotiate. Sure I bitch and moan
about the regular stuff AFTER I land the gig. But I land the GIG
I want.

I dont take shitty paying jobs...I just donīt. But then again
I am not 21 years old, and fresh into the work force. This probably
gives me an advantage. I have a strong work background and
if i do say so myself QUITE A SMARTY.

Although some people call me a SLACKER hahahahaaha..

but no worries
I do my job and smile.

I am trying to OFFER positive advice to newbies, hey man
why kick a good dog when its down.

And to ANSWER THE BOYFRIEND GIRLFRIEND question.
Well, the reason is so obvious it HURTS. But i know you are
young and inexperinced in the lays of the world. hahaha...

When it comes to China I say take that first job and get your feet wet. It does not matter how careful you are or how much homework you do in advance. The China initiation will be sure to be interesting. Most of the old China hands had a bad first experience. That is why they are old hands. They were undaunted and fought bravely on.

Seriously, China is a wild frontier for EFL/ESL. Be brave, be strong. Take that first plunge into the murkey unknown. After your first job experience, assuming you do not turn tail and run, you will make your way into a better job, better employer etc. Even in the USA the choice jobs at premium pay do not have to advertise in the paper or on the net.

China is an adventure. If you are not flexible, stay home. If you want the adventure of your life, CHINA is it!

I start my third year in September and would not exchange the experience for anything!